Test your prowess against a variety of realistic computer opponents, or invite up to nine people to join you in a game. Hold Em keeps track of each player’s chip total, virtual bank account balance, and statistics.

1.1. Included Files

The archive includes the following files and folders:

File/Folder	Purpose
Readme.txt	Explains how to register and order the software.
holdem.prc	Installs Hold Em on your Palm Powered™ handheld.
holdemHR.prc	Installs high-resolution version of Hold Em on your Palm Powered handheld.
order.html	Automatically establishes link with Standalone, Inc. website. Places Hold Em in your shopping cart. If this does not happen automatically, click the Click to order link to go to our website.
license.txt	Contains the software license agreement. Please read this before using the software. By installing, copying, or otherwise using this software, you agree to be bound by the terms of the license agreement.
Manual	This folder contains the HTML version of this manual. The images subfolder contains the graphics for this manual.

Table 1 Hold Em Files and Folders

1.2. System Requirements

Palm OS version 3.0 is required. Visit http://www.standalone.com/palmos/ to obtain an updated list of supported Palm Powered devices. This manual refers to any compatible device as a “Palm Powered handheld.”

1.3. Installing Hold Em

Software such as the Palm Desktop™ enables you to install Hold Em via your desktop computer. Read the documentation that came with your Palm Powered handheld to ensure that the Palm Desktop or similar software is properly installed.

1.3.1. Windows Installation

Do the following steps to install Hold Em using a Windows-compatible desktop computer:

1. Download the Hold Em installer (.exe file) from www.standalone.com , saving it to an easily accessible location such as the desktop.

2. Click the executable icon. The installation wizard opens on the screen.

3. Complete the steps specified by the installation wizard.

4. Perform a Hot Sync operation with your Palm Powered handheld. Hold Em is automatically installed on your Palm Powered handheld.

1.3.2. Macintosh Installation

Do the following steps to install Hold Em using a Macintosh computer:

1. Download the Hold Em installer (.hqx file) from www.standalone.com , saving it to an easily accessible location such as the desktop.

2. Click the installer icon. The installation wizard opens on the screen.

3. Complete the steps specified by the installation wizard.

4. Perform a Hot Sync operation with your Palm Powered handheld. Hold Em is automatically installed on your Palm Powered handheld.

1.4. Registering Hold Em

Hold Em is shareware, software that you can download and try for free. The time-limited demo version of Hold Em includes all of the features available in the licensed version. After 30 days, the demo version will only work with a valid registration code. Registration includes free upgrades to any future version of Hold Em.

There are several ways to order your registration code:

· Order online at our website. This is the easiest way to register. The secure online shopping cart requires a current Netscape or Internet Explorer browser (version 4.0 or higher).

· E-mail your registration information to sales@standalone.com. We will send the registration code.

· Fax your order to us at (773) 477-2579.

1.4.1. Necessary Information

Have the following information ready before you register:

· Your exact name as it is entered in your Palm Powered handheld, including spaces.

· The complete list of programs that you wish to register.

· Payment information. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and personal checks. To pay with a credit card, provide the card number, the expiration date, and the type of card.

· Contact information. Please provide an e-mail address, mailing address, and phone number.

1.4.2. Entering the Registration Code

To enter the registration code before the 30 day evaluation period has expired:

1. Open Hold Em from the Applications menu. The start screen appears.

2. Select Options → Enter Registration Code from the menu. The Enter Reg Code screen containing a numerical keypad appears. The Name field shows your name as it is entered into your Palm Powered handheld.

3. Tap the numerical keypad to enter the registration code.

4. Tap the Register button.

To enter the registration code after the 30-day evaluation period has expired:

1. Open Hold Em from the Applications menu. The registration information screen appears.

2. Tap Enter Registration. The Enter Reg Code screen containing a numerical keypad appears. The Name field shows your name as it is entered into your Palm Powered handheld.

3. Tap the numerical keypad to enter the registration code.

4. Tap the Register button.

Please e-mail sales@standalone.com if you have any questions about registering.

1.5. Contacting Stand Alone, Inc.

There are several ways to get in touch with us. E-mail is preferred. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

1.5.1. Business Hours

Stand Alone is open from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday. We are closed on Saturday and Sunday. These times are CST and GMT -5.

1.5.2. E-mail

Internet: info@standalone.com

1.5.3. Fax

Fax: (773) 477-2579

1.5.4. World Wide Web

http://www.standalone.com

1.6. Customer Support

Please e-mail us at techsupport@standalone.com if you have problems starting or running Hold Em. Include the following information to help us isolate and identify the problem:

The type of Palm Powered handheld that you are using (e.g. Palm IIIx).
The software name and version number. Select Options → About Hold Em from the menu to view the software name and version number (e.g. Hold Em for Palm OS®, version 3.0b2).
Any error messages that accompany the problem.
A brief description of how we can recreate the error.
Your name and e-mail address.

2. Maneuvering the Poker Table

Each player at the table has an icon, a name, a chip bank, and a status. In games with 7-10 players, some player icons flow over onto a second screen. Use the onscreen ▼arrow or enter the shortcut D to scroll down and view these players.

Figure 1 Poker Table with Four Players

2.1. Using Chips

The pot and each player’s bank are shown as stacks of chips. The four chip denominations are $100, $25, $5, and $1. (Figure 2)

Figure 2 Chip Denominations

The computer combines chips whose sum equals the value of the next highest chip. For example, a stack of five $1 chips is replaced with a single $5 chip. A dollar amount is shown wherever chips are stacked.

2.2. Player Status

Each player has a status showing what he just did, or is waiting to do. The indicator is located below the player’s name.

Status	Description
Ante	The player placed a bet to open the round.
Check	The player did not bet and passed the turn.
Call	The player matched the bet of the previous player.
Bet	The player raised the bet of the previous player.
Waiting	The player has not acted since the last card was dealt.
Win	The player won the hand.
Fold	The player folded. (This also appears if a new player is added after a hand has already started).

Table 2 Player Status Messages

Red status letters appear if a player raises a bet. The letters remain red until all players have had a chance to respond to the bet.

2.3. Recognizing Tells

A tell is a gesture or facial expression by which a player unwittingly reveals the strength of his hand. The icon of each computer opponent changes to show different facial expressions. Some of these expressions have an obvious meaning. For example, a player typically has a happy grin after winning a hand. Other expressions are more subtle and may be tells.

Figure 3 Computer Opponent Expressions and Tells

Hold Em includes several computer opponents, each having a different set of tells. Recognizing them takes practice!

The icons of real players appear as silhouettes and do not show tells.

2.4. Checking, Calling, Raising, and Folding

Hold Em shows buttons along the bottom of the screen to Check, Call, Raise, or Fold.

The Bets counter in the upper left corner of the screen shows the remaining number of raises allowable in the current round of betting. Under standard betting rules the round ends after players have responded to the fourth bet (i.e. third raise) and the Bets counter has reached 4/4.

2.5. Identifying the Dealer

A blue marker in the upper left corner of the player icon identifies the dealer.

Figure 4 Blue Marker Identifying the Dealer

Players take turns dealing. With each successive hand, the dealer designation moves down one player. After the bottom of the order is reached, the designation wraps back up to the player at the top of the screen. Computer opponents do not deal until you tap Deal.

3. Starting a Game

Specify any combination of human and computer opponents (ten players maximum) at the beginning of a game using the New Table screen.

Figure 5 New Table Screen

To start a new game:

Select Game → New Table from the menu. The New Table screen appears.
Enter the total number of human players and computer opponents in the Players field.
Enter the number of human players in the Humans field. This number must be less than or equal to the total number of Players.
Select the betting rules from the Betting pull-down menu.
If there are computer opponents, define their level of skill by tapping Beginner, Intermediate, or Pro from the selector.
Choose Texas Hold ‘em or Omaha from the selector.
Tap New. The game begins.

The next section explains player profiles, which can be used to add or remove players in the middle of a game.

4. Using Player Profiles

A profile is a record that tracks a player’s chips, bank account balance, statistics, and other information. A setting in the profile called the player type determines whether the player is under the control of a human user, under the control of the computer, or inactive. Hold Em stores ten profiles in memory.

Select Options à Edit Players… (or enter P via the graffiti pad) to view or modify a profile via the Players screen. (Figure 6)

Figure 6 Players Screen

Use the pull-down selector in the upper left corner of the Players screen to select the profile that you want to view or modify. (Figure 7)

Figure 7 Selecting the Profile

4.1. Changing the Player Type

The player type is a setting in the profile that determines whether the player is under the control a human user, under the control of the computer, or inactive. Use the selector located below the Name field to change the player type. (Figure 8)

Figure 8 Selecting the Player Type

Player Type	Description	Comments
Human	Human player. Cards shown face up.	Set your profile to Human to play alone against the computer. Your top cards are shown face up since only you can see them.
Hidden Human	Human player. Cards shown face down. Tap card backs with stylus to view them.	For games that include multiple human players, set each human player’s profile to Hidden Human. This hides each player’s top two cards.
Inactive	Player removed from table.	To remove any player from the table, set the profile to Inactive.
Smart Computer	Computer opponent. Places bets that statistically have the highest chance of success.	Computer opponents make their own decisions and place their own bets.
Tight Computer	Computer opponent. Plays cautiously and is less likely to call or raise a bet.
Loose Computer	Computer opponent. Is more likely to call or raise a bet.
Stupid Computer	Computer opponent. Makes bets that have a low statistical chance of success.
Paranoid Computer	Computer Opponent. Susceptible to bluffs.
Bluffing Computer	Computer opponent. Frequently bluffs.
Erratic Computer	Computer opponent. Combines multiple traits in a random way.

Table 3 Player Types

Note that the profile maintains the same information—chip total, debt, statistics—regardless of whether the player is a human or a computer opponent.

4.2. Adding and Removing Players

Use the Players screen to add or remove a player at any point during a game.

To add a human player to a game:

Select Options → Edit Players from the menu. The Players screen appears.
Select an Inactive profile.
Change the player type to Hidden Human.
Enter the new player’s Name.
Tap OK. The new player appears at the table, ready to play the next hand.

To remove a player, open his or her player profile and set the player type back to Inactive. The procedure to add and remove players is the same for both human and computer opponents.

4.3. Purchasing and Cashing in Chips

Purchase and cash-in chips via the Players screen.

To purchase additional chips:

Select Options → Edit Players from the menu. The Players screen appears.
Select the profile of the player who is buying the chips.
Tap Buy In to buy chips in increments of $20. A corresponding amount of cash is added to the Debt.
Tap OK.

The procedure to pay off Debt is similar: access the player profile and tap Cash In to pay down debt in $20 increments.

5. Establishing Rules

Two screens enable you to establish rules. Use the New Table screen to establish rules at the beginning of a game, and the Game screen to establish rules at any time.

5.1. New Table Screen

Use the New Table screen (Figure 5) to establish rules and other details at the beginning of a game. Select Game à New Table from the menu, or enter N via the graffiti pad.

Feature	Description
Visitor checkbox	Check this checkbox if you do not want the games to affect the statistics or player profiles. A game is not saved if the visiting player exits Hold Em.
Players	Enter the total number of players, including human and computer opponents.
Humans	Enter the number of players being controlled by human users. This number must be less than or equal to Players.
Betting	Select the betting rules. Select Custom… to open the Custom Betting screen.
Beginner / Intermediate / Pro	Tap the desired skill level from the selector to determine the skill level of the computer opponents.
Texas Hold’Em / Omaha	Tap the desired poker style from the selector.
Players button	Tap Players to open the Players screen. Read section 4, Using Player Profiles.
Game button	Tap Game to open the Game screen.

Table 4 New Table Screen

5.2. Game Screen

Use the Game screen to change rules at any time during a game. Select Options à Edit Game from the menu, or enter V via the graffiti pad. (Figure 9)

Figure 9 Game Screen

Feature	Description
Betting	Select the betting rules. Select Custom… to open the Custom Betting screen.
Rake	The rake is a small percentage of the pot taken by casinos to cover expenses. Select the casino’s rake percentage from the pull-down menu.
Ante	Select Blinds to have mandatory betting for the first two betters as well as new players.
Raises	Define the number of raises allowed in a round of betting.

Table 5 Game Screen

5.3. Custom Betting Screen

To open the Custom Betting screen, open either the New Table or Game screen and select Custom Betting from the Betting selector. (Figure 10)

Figure 10 Custom Betting Screen

To customize a bet:

Open the Custom Betting screen.
Tap the bet type from the selector. For example, tap Turn Max to change the betting rules for the turn.
Tap the Lower or Raise buttons to adjust the bet amount as desired.
Tap OK. The new betting rule is applied to the current game.

6. Viewing Statistics

Hold Em stores detailed table and player statistics. Access this data via the Stats and Players screens.

6.1. Stats Screen

Select Options à Stats … from the menu to view the Stats screen. (Figure 11)

Figure 11 Stats Screen

Statistic	Description
Total Hands Played	The total number of hands played at the table.
Total Rake Collected	The percentage of the pot taken by casino to cover its expenses. Configure this percentage via the Game screen, if desired. Read Section 5.2, Game Screen.
Table Skill	The skill level of the computer opponents at the table.
Number of Players	The combined number of human and computer opponents at the table.
Cash at Table	The total cash value of the chips on the table.

Table 6 Table Statistics on the Stats Screen

Tap the Individual Stats button to open the Player screen and view player statistics.

6.2. Player Statistics

Select Options à Edit Players … from the menu to view player statistics on the Players screen (Figure 6), or enter P via the graffiti pad. The statistics include the total number of times the player raised, checked, and folded, as well as the amount taken from the player by the rake.

7. Using Menus

Tap the Menu button to the left of the graffiti area to access the Game and Options menus.

Game à	Graffiti Pad Shortcut	Description	Comments
Beam Hold ‘Em		Beam and install Hold Em software on another Palm Powered handheld.	Both handhelds must be equipped with an infra-red (IR) port to beam the software.
Scroll Table	D	Scroll down to the bottom of the poker table.	In games with 7-10 players, some player icons flow over onto a second screen. Select this option, tap the onscreen ▼arrow, or enter the shortcut D to scroll down and view these players.
New Table	N	Begin a new game.	Read Section 5.1, New Table Screen.

Table 7 Game Menu

Options à	Graffiti Pad Shortcut	Description	Comments
Beam Game	B	Beam the current game to another Palm Powered handheld that has Hold Em installed.	The same game can be played on two or more Palm handhelds. Each player must select this option to synchronize the other players after each turn. All handhelds must be equipped with an infra-red (IR) port and Hold Em software to beam the game.
Background Color	C	Change the background color of the poker table.	Tap a color swatch to select a solid background color for the poker table.
Card Backs …		Change the graphical appearance of the card backs.	Visit www.standalone.com to download card backs.
Edit Players …	P	View or modify player profiles.	Read Section 4, Using Player Profiles.
Edit Game …	V	View or modify certain rules.	Read Section 5.2, Game Screen.
Preferences …	R	Change game preferences.	Read Section 8, Changing Preferences.
Stats …		View game statistics.	Read Section 6, Viewing Statistics.
Help	H	View help.
Enter Registration Code		Enter registration information for Hold Em software.	Read Section 1.4, Registering Hold Em.
About Hold ‘Em	I	Show the software version number and additional registration information.

Table 8 Options Menu

8. Changing Preferences

Use the Preferences screen to change the appearance of the table, control onscreen animation, and adjust the game flow. To access this screen, select Options → Preferences from the menu, or enter R in the graffiti area. (Figure 12)

Figure 12 Preferences Screen

Preference	Description
Animation, Bets checkbox	Hold Em animates the movement of chips between each player and the pot. Uncheck the checkbox to turn off this animation.
Animation, Dealing checkbox	Hold Em animates the card movements. Uncheck the checkbox to turn off this animation.
Animation, Folding checkbox	If a player folds, Hold Em moves his icon, cards, and chips off of the table until the next hand. Uncheck the checkbox to turn off this animation.
Game Flow, When a player busts they quit	Computer opponents automatically buy more chips when they run out. Check this checkbox if you want computer opponents to leave the table (become Inactive) after running out of chips.
Game Flow, Confirm Deal	All dealers wait for you to tap Deal before they deal the cards. Uncheck this checkbox if you want the dealers to deal without waiting for you to confirm.
Graphics, Background	Check to show background image. Uncheck to show a solid color.
Graphics, Card Graphics	Check to show graphical designs on the card backs. Uncheck to show card backs with a solid color.
Display, Always show winner	Check this checkbox to view the winner’s hand, even if all other players have folded.
Display, Always deal out hand	Check this checkbox to show all five community cards, even if there is a winner before all five are turned.
Display, Auto Hide Folded Players	Hold Em moves a player’s icon, cards, and chips off of the table in the event that he folds. Uncheck this checkbox to keep the player at the table with a status of Fold.

Table 9 Preferences

9. Deleting Resources

Certain Hold Em graphics files can be deleted in order to conserve memory. To delete these resources:

Select Options → Delete Resources … from the menu. The Delete Resources screen appears.

Figure 13 Delete Resources Screen

Check any checkboxes corresponding to graphics that you would like to delete.
Tap Delete. A dialog box appears, asking you to confirm the delete operation.
Tap Yes to delete the resources. This cannot be undone.

10. Recommended Books and Websites

This section lists resources to help newcomers get started with the game of Hold Em poker. This information is subject to change by the individual publishers.

Websites

An Introduction to Texas Hold ‘Em Poker

http://www.texasholdem-poker.com/beginnersintro.html

How to Play Omaha

http://casinogambling.about.com/library/weekly/aa031903.htm

Books

Hold ‘Em Poker

by David Sklansky

Two Plus Two Publishing LLC; ISBN: 1880685086; (December 1996)

Play Poker Like the Pros

by Phil Hellmuth, Jr.

HarperResource; ISBN: 0060005726; (May, 2003)

HotSync, Palm Powered, Palm Desktop, and Palm OS are registered trademarks of Palm, Inc.